April 12, 2024

Candle-lighting 7:05 p.m.

Dear Friends,

Someone up there does not want us meeting outside. Rain is forecast again for tomorrow, so we will continue to enjoy the friendly confines of the Dorff-Nelson Chapel. Following services (and a sponsored kiddush), Rabbi Dr. Michael Berenbaum will be leading a Lunch & Learn on the topic "What is Antisemitism"?

Also in this week's Update:

• Shabbat Services/Lunch & Learn - 9:45 am
• Mishnah Study
• Ohel Patuach for Pesach
• 20s/30s Mini-Golf - Sunday
• March Madness Bracket Tournament Results
• AJU to Honor Elliot Dorff and Michael Berenbaum
• Kashering Utensils for Pesach
• Upcoming Calendar
• Donations This Week
• Dear Libby
• Haftarah Plethora
• Jewish Trivia

If you have questions, suggestions, or want to include something in a future Weekly Update, please email Joel Elkins at joel.elkins@gmail.com.

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Services/Lunch & Learn

Services will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Dorff-Nelson Chapel, followed by a kiddush sponsored by Tove and Carl Sunshine, in honor of Tove's birthday, and by the minyan, in honor of the Lunch & Lunch by Michael Berenbaum, which will immediately follow the kiddush (at approximately 12:30). Click here to view the article which he we will be expanding on.

Mishna Study

Mishna study begins a new Chapter tomorrow. Norm Green will lead us in the study of the first mishna of Chapter 11 of Tractate Shabbat, beginning at 9:15 in the Whiteman Conference Room and on Zoom.

Ohel Patuach for Pesach

If you need a place for seder (or other Pesach meal) or have an extra seat at your table, email ohelpatuach@libraryminyan.org.

March Madness Bracket Tournament Results

Here are the final results of the inaugural Library Minyan March Madness tournament:

• On the Men's side, the tournament was a lot closer than the final game. Rachel Burwald (141) just barely edged Russell Cohen (140) for the title.
• On the Women's side, South Carolina's win over Iowa means that Russell Cohen (119) wins over Ben Richards (116)

You might find it a little suspicious when the organizer wins one division and his fiance wins the other, but all picks were made public ahead of time. And, anyways, he chose the Library Minyan's Outreach Fund for his charity, so who are we to argue? Congratulations to both our winners. It is sure to be the highlight of the year for them.

AJU to Honor Elliot Dorff and Michael Berenbaum

On Sunday, June 2nd, American Jewish University will be honoring Elliot Dorff and Michael Berenbaum. For more information on the event, including tickets and sponsorship, click here. If you would like to serve on the Honorary Committee for the event, please contact Suzy Bookbinder.

Kashering Utensils for Pesach

The downstairs kitchen will be open this coming Sunday from 9:00 to noon to toivel (kasher) metal utensils for Pesach. Details are here.

Upcoming Calendar

Below is a list of upcoming special kiddushes and events. If you would like to contribute to any of these (or to add another kiddush-worthy occasion), please click here and indicate the event in the notes.

4/23 - Pesach, day 1 (joint service - no livestreaming)

4/24 - Pesach, day 2 (joint service - livestreamed)

4/27 - Pesach, intermediate Shabbat

4/29 - Pesach, day 7 (joint service - no livestreaming)

4/30 - Pesach, day 8 (Yizkor)

Donations This Week

Russell Cohen

-(with a little swagger as the tournament winner) named Library Minyan Outreach Fund as his designated charity

Dear Libby

(Note: Dear Libby is on vacation this week. Filling in is ChatLib, the virtual dispenser of artificial advice.)

Dear ChatLib:

Do you have any tips for preparing for Pesach?

DREADING IN DOWNEY

Dear Dreading:

I understand you are asking how to prepare a peach. You should first wash it thoroughly. It can then be sliced for eating or baking, or eaten directly off the pit. Enjoy!

CHATLIB

Dear ChatLib:

No, not a peach! Pesach, as in Passover, Chag ha-Aviv, the festival of freedom.

DREADING

Dear Dreading:

I apologize for my error. To prepare for Pesach, you will need to thoroughly clean your house, car and garage from top to bottom, change out (or kasher) all your dishes and utensils, sell your chametz to the highest bidder, perform a ritual final search for chametz the night before, take your life in your hands braving the crowds at Glatt Mart to purchase foods that cost twice as much and taste half as good as their non-Pesadic equivalents, invite guests and spend a week cooking for a meal that won't begin until 11:00 p.m., get the folding chairs and table extensions out of storage, set the table, prepare your seder plates and await the arrival of your guests.  

CHATLIB

Dear ChatLib:

On second thought, maybe I will just eat a peach!

If you would like Libby to answer your questions or solve your problems, submit your questions and/or kvetches to dearlibby@libraryminyan.org

Haftarah Plethora

In the Haftarah Plethora episode for Tazria recorded last year, Larry and Rick discussed why the Haftarah for Tazria is so rarely read. And despite what they say, it is indeed read this year! 😊 Larry thinks that the message of the Haftarah is that we all have a part to play for righteous change to happen. Rick finds more proof for his munach-zakef katon theory and the boys agree that General Naaman has a thing going on. Shabbat Shalom

You can see all of Larry and Rick's recordings here.

Jewish Trivia

Last week's questions:

1. In Shakespearean times, this meant a scoundrel or vagabond, as when Hamlet laments “O what a _____ and peasant slave am I!” Modernly, it means someone that defies rules or guidelines, such as a cop or robot. What word is it? Answer: Rogue
2. What word can describe either a page in a book or the singular of foliage? Answer: Leaf
3. What is the fourth word in the introduction to every episode of Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation? Answer: Frontier
4. What is the only letter in the English language which is referred to differently in the U.S. and Canada? Answer: Z
5. What do these have in common that make them appropriate for Jewish Trivia? Answer: They are all models of Nissan, which we ushered in this week.

This week's questions: We all know that Charleston Heston played Moses (from teenager to old man) in "The Ten Commandments." Who played baby Moses?

If that's too hard, how many of the actors who played the following roles can you name?

1. Ramses

2. Neferititi

3. Dathan

4. Joshua

5. Aaron

(Answers next week.)